BEIJING, July 14 — Michael Jackson fans on Monday gathered to pay tribute to the star outside London’s O2 Arena, where he was to have started his 50 concerts.

About 600 people went to O2 Arena, adding messages to a wall of tributes and conducting Jackson sing-a-longs. Some sat quietly under a large screen with a Jackson’s portrait and the words “Michael Jackson 1958-2009” on it.

Fans held a minute’s silence at 18:30 local time to mark the moment when the concert would have opened.

Jackson died on June 25, weeks ahead of his comeback in London after years being a recluse. Tickets of the 50 concerts were sold out in record four hours.

Promoter of Jackson’s performances, AEG Live, has offered fans either full refunds for the canceled shows or a souvenir ticket as an alternative.

While no concerts are currently scheduled to replace Jackson’s performances, AEG has said it hopes to stage a tribute including footage of the “This Is It” rehearsals. 

On Xinhua Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/14/content_11706502.htm